2021 Audi Q5 40 Mhev Quat S-A — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,537 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Audi Q5 40 Mhev Quat S-A, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, emissions & environmental and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 90.4% was in line with the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.8% | 206 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 1.9% | 68 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.6% | 57 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.3% | 45 |
| 5 | Visibility | 0.9% | 33 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.4% | 13 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 87 |
| 2 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 55 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 45 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 45 |
| 5 | Wipers | 19 |
| 6 | Washers | 16 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 17.9% | 635 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.8% | 417 |
| 3 | Other defects | 7.8% | 274 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.9% | 104 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.3% | 45 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.5% | 18 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 1,439 | 9.2% |
| 30-60k | 1,903 | 9.7% |
| 60-90k | 186 | 12.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 56 | 8.9% |
| 2024 | 1,762 | 9.4% |
| 2025 | 1,717 | 9.8% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Q5 40 Mhev Quat S-A
Before buying a 2021 Audi Q5 40 Mhev Quat S-A, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 5.8% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (5.8% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Emissions & environmental (1.9% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Lighting & signalling (1.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2021 Audi Q5 40 Mhev Quat S-As pass their MOT?
90.4% of the 3,537 2021 Audi Q5 40 Mhev Quat S-A MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Audi Q5 40 Mhev Quat S-A?
Tyres, recorded in 5.8% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (1.9%).
Does the 2021 Q5 40 Mhev Quat S-A get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.2% in the 0-30k band to 12.4% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,537 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.